HARVESTING OF COASTAL AND MARINE RESOURCES IN THE WESTERN INDIAN OCEAN ISLANDS

The EEZ associated with the Western Indian Ocean Islands extends over more
than 2 106 km2, an area larger than the state of California. This
not only creates difficulties for administration and protection, but also for
monitoring and regulation of fishing practices and harvesting rates (Brooks/Cole
1998). International regulations are in place to protect the interests of small
island states, but resources are required for their monitoring and enforcement,
as evidenced by the dramatic increase in reported catches by distant-water fishing
nations during the 1990s (FAO 1997). Catches of non-target, endangered species,
especially turtles, dolphins, and dugongs, are also cause for concern in the
sub-region, as are the destructive practices of dynamite fishing, purse-seining
and drag-netting.

Domestic fish catches in Comoros, Seychelles and Mauritius grew steadily between
1975 and 1995, but have declined recently by up to 24 per cent (see Table
2c.1). This is in contrast with catches from other lowincome countries,
reported to have increased by 4 per cent during the same period, and with world
total catches which are reported to have grown by 8 per cent (UNEP 1999a, Commonwealth
Secretariat 2000). The FAO believes that this stagnation of catch is a result
of stocks being fully exploited, as there has been no reduction in fishing activities
during this period (FAO 1997).

Table 2c.1 Marine fish catch in the Western Indian Ocean
Islands (thousands of tonnes) 1975-97

Comoros

Madagascar

Mauritius

Seychelles

World Total

1975

3 850

19 020

7 038

3 950

NA

1990

12 200

NA

14 700

5 400

86 408

1995

13 200

85 463

16 933

7 000

91 558

1997

12 500

NA

13 700

5 300

93 329

UNEP 1999a: Commonwealth Secretariat 2000

Sustainable harvesting of coastal and marine resources in the Western Indian
Ocean Islands

Control of overfishing requires elaborate marine regulatory facilities and
surveillance, and lack of these has meant that compliance with regulations in
the Western Indian Ocean Islands has been weak to date. However, measures have
been introduced recently, including training of fishermen and provision of equipment
to fish beyond the reef and in deep waters, to encourage regrowth of populations
in coastal waters (UNEP 1999a). Legislation to outlaw turtle fishing and to
protect the species has proved difficult to enforce and evaluation of the impact
has been hindered by lack of specific data. National coral reef monitoring networks
have been established, under the Indian Ocean Commission's Regional Environment
Programme, with annual reporting on the state of the coral reef and its resources.

A festival of underwater film has also been held to promote awareness of the
underwater world and the need for resource conservation. There are three nationally
protected marine reserves in the Western Indian Ocean Islands where fishing
activities are restricted, and one World Heritage Site (the Aldabra Atoll in
Seychelles).